Coronavirus Update: Why Now is a Great Time for Recruiters to Conduct Online Job Interviews

The novel coronavirus disease, or COVID-19, is a highly contagious illness that can easily spread from one person to another. Because of this, both public and private entities and organisations in different parts of the world employed various measures to contain the disease. 

Governments imposed lockdowns and quarantines to discourage people from leaving their homes and preventing those carrying the virus from infecting others. In the private sector, businesses are also doing their part to protect their employees from the outbreak and promote social distancing. For instance, tech giants such as Google, Twitter, and Amazon have instructed the members of their staff to stay in their respective houses and work from home.

Recruiters’ Answer to the COVID-19 Outbreak

With the various challenges posed by the coronavirus outbreak, recruitment agencies should think outside of the box to ensure both the safety of their employees and the survival of their respective companies. One way to do this is to conduct online job interviews. Here’s why. 

1. It is now easier to contact candidates

With travel restrictions in effect in many parts of the world, people are less likely to travel. This means it would be much easier for recruiters to contact candidates and even potential clients since many people are now stuck at home, bored and glued to their smartphones. Before, getting a hold of job seekers and employers is often a challenge for recruitment firms. If candidates and clients are not stuck in a meeting, they are either travelling for business or doing something equally important. 

If you’re looking to expand your talent or client pool, now is an excellent opportunity to do so since most people are available and can be easily contacted using apps such as Skype, Zoom, and WhatsApp.

2. It is more convenient

Another advantage of conducting online interviews is that it is easier and more convenient. Both you and the candidate need not travel to see and talk to each other. Not only is it quicker and less time-consuming, but conducting an online interview is also much safer for both parties since it helps reduce human contact amidst the outbreak.

Quick Tips for Online Interviewers and Interviewees

Keep in mind, however, that an online job interview is very different from a face-to-face job interview. For instance, it can be more challenging, especially for candidates, to connect with the interviewer during the interview process. Most of the time, there is less small talk involved. Also, it can be harder to gauge the interviewer’s mood because of the lack of non-verbal cues. 

This is why candidates should practice beforehand to ensure that their online interview would go smoothly. Also, they should check their devices to avoid technical issues that could disrupt their discussion or make them lose their concentration. 

For the recruiters, they should advise candidates to exercise patience. While online job interviews can help reduce the amount of time needed to process their application, delays are also possible as businesses develop contingency plans and measures against COVID-19 issues. 

Also, recruitment firms should take note that online interviews aren’t suitable for everyone. For instance, those applying for roles that involve client interaction and team management should are encouraged to also undergo a face-to-face meeting so recruiters can thoroughly assess their capabilities.

Ingenuity is Key to Your Survival

With the COVID-19 outbreak posing various challenges to different parts of our society, recruitment agencies need to be resourceful. By thinking of new ways to conduct their day-to-day business, such as conducting online interviews, they can ensure their survival and protect their employees. At the same time, they can also expand their talent pool and find new clients to offer their services. 

Do you need help getting your business in front of your target audience? At Recruitment Traffic, we can offer you the assistance you need. Our goal is to help recruitment agencies leverage the power of Google to meet their business goals and obtain a higher return on investment. Contact us today and let’s discuss the digital marketing solutions you need.